Wow, sounds like you're getting ready for major recording. You're getting over my head. I just use Sony Acid Music on my HP laptop with my Zoom H2. I haven't had any experience with compression.
Can't wait to hear the project though.

Yeh, Greg, me too. I'm working up to it with a lot of background--changing my music room, changing my method of recording, working out a songlist, and so forth. At the rate I work, I may get product sometime early next year.

I do have another option that I am considering. My friend Ronnie, the drummer for the Killers, has invited me to use his studio. It's a great and generous offer, but I'm not sure I want that level of largess. I think of myself as a song writer and I do my CDs for friends--I just want a good clean product.

Others can explain compression better than I--it has something to do with the power of commercial sound, a power that we don't generally get with a lot of home equipment. For example, when I record on my Tascam, I get fairly good sound, but it is not pronounced, it is not up to commecial standard. My previous CDs came close because James, the violin player, had software programs that could compress. Compression is a touchy business, however, and easy to over-do. I'd sort of like to control it.

By the way, I have really enjoyed the sounds you've been making. You are one of the best advertisements Rainsong has. When I listen to you, I find myself wishing that Rainsong made a nylon string guitar, something along the lines of their new hybrids. Maybe, one day.

Thank you so much.
Now you've got me thinking about compression. I looked it up in my Acid Music and I can't say understand it yet. I will be paying attention to this thread.

When you guys get it all worked out you can let me know! I have a Zoom H4n and a copy of Reaper: I don't think I know how to do anything but the very basics [I don't know enough about the processes to be able to ask the right questions!]. Like Greg, I'll be watching closely.

Ray

Those are all great ways to record that I too use myself. Now days I like to use a mix of the stereo microphone at the 12th fret and the on-board pickup (for better bass response), if available. I then feed it through my Tascam US-1641 mix the three inputs (-12db) through Reaper. I use various compression (URS and Abbey Roads/EMI VSTs),split (left/right) the stereo channels and mix the on-board signal mono with a phase reversal. For the processed signals, add Notched EQs, a little room reverb to get an even better acoustic sound, or mix in a little slap-back tape delay for a more vintage feel. I normalize the final track, and it sounds studio quality on my setup.

Uh, yeah. Ok, I've got some learnin' to do. evan, as you are making your CD, maybe you can make some before compression and after compression recordings so I can start to fathom exactly what it does.

Greg;
Some how, some way, compression pumps up the volume to an industry standard for professional recordings--commercial CDs, radio and television, etc. The sound is just as good, some people say better, without compression, it's just quiet. I can put a CD made on Tascam in a home CD player and I have to crank the volume all the up in order to hear it clearly. What little I've learned came from the Tascam Forum where a common complaint is volume--technical information that I've forgotten, but a general problem that I'm facing. I'm figuring that if I wait long enough, you'll give us the scoop.

Justin;
You lost me somewhere around the first paragraph. Except for one notation--the addition of reverb. I believe that digital recording tends to be cold/dry/sterile; the addition of some reverb seems to bring warmth back into the picture. That part I got. The rest of it--more complicated than I want.

Thanks for pitching in on this. Like I said, I'm taking my time here and a little help from my friends is appreciated.

Right!

Thanks, Justin. (If I only understood ANY thing that you wrote. But don't stop, I might glean something.

Ray

Sorry I have a tenancy of doing that; I often forget it took me ten plus years to learn everything I know about recording and the science of sound.

Even, thanks for the info. I am going to look into it for my own recording and see what I come up with. It will have to be simple, so I'll let you know what I find.